SAVANNAH, Ga. – The Savannah State University volleyball team (0-8) fell to East Carolina (4-0) 3-0 (12-25, 16-25, 19-25) in the first home match of the season at Willcox-Wiley Gymnasium Sunday.
 
Freshman outside hitter Dominic Ingraham led the Lady Tigers with eight kills on 15 attacks for a hitting percentage of .533, while senior setter Caitlynn Masoe added five kills, six assists, three digs and two service aces.  Junior setter Alee Quint led the team with 17 assists, while senior middle blocker Gabrielle Nathaniel led the team with six digs and added four kills.
 
East Carolina scored 11 of the first 14 points to take an 11-3 lead in the first set, but the Lady Tigers scored back-to-back points to cut the lead to seven, 11-5.  The Pirates outscored Savannah State 9-4 to take an 11-point lead, 20-9, but the Lady Tigers scored the next three points to cut the lead to eight, 20-12.  ECU scored the final five points to capture the 13-point set win and to take a 1-0 match lead.
 
Savannah State scored five of the first seven points in the second stanza to take a 5-2 lead, but the Pirates scored four of the next five points to tie the set at six.  The Lady Tigers scored six of the next eight points to take a three-point lead, 12-8, but ECU outscored SSU 17-4 during the rest of the set to capture a nine-point set win and to take a 2-0 match lead heading into intermission.
 
East Carolina scored the first five points in the final frame to capture a 5-0 lead and extended the lead to eight, 16-8, by scoring 11 of the next 19 points.  The Lady Tigers scored the next three points to close the gap to five, 16-11, but ECU outscored SSU 9-8 during the rest of the set to capture the six-point set win and to win the match.
 
The Pirates were led by I'Tiana Taylor with 13 kills, Sabrina Gonzalez with 26 assists and Alex Jessett with six digs. 
 
Short Box Score (Match)
The Automated ScoreBook
East Carolina vs Savannah State (Sep 04, 2016 at Savannah, Ga.)
 
East Carolina def. Savannah State 25-12,25-16,25-19
 
  East Carolina (4-0) (Kills-aces-blocks) - TAYLOR, I'Tiana 13-0-1;
  MARES, Ashton 8-2-2; MONTINI, Natalie 5-1-2; COTTINGHAM, Taira 3-0-0;
  GONZALEZ, Sabrina 3-0-0; MCRAE, Ashley 2-0-1; BIDGOOD, Haley 1-0-0;
  CERIANI, Lael 1-0-0; MARKWITH, Brandee 0-2-0; Totals 36-5-4.0.
  (Assists) - GONZALEZ, Sabrina 26. (Dig leaders) - JESSETT, Alex 6;
  MARKWITH, Brandee 5
 
  Savannah State (0-8) (Kills-aces-blocks) - INGRAHAM,Dominic 8-0-0;
  MASOE,Caitlynn 5-2-0; NATHANIEL,Gabrielle 4-0-0; DILWORTH,Justice
  4-0-0; COLBERT,Charlinda 2-0-0; JONES,Jademone 2-0-0; QUINT, Alee
  1-0-0; Totals 26-2-0.0. (Assists) - QUINT, Alee 17. (Dig leaders) -
  NATHANIEL,Gabrielle 6; WASHINGTON,Alexis 4
 
  Site: Savannah, Ga. (Willcox-Wiley Gym)
  Date: Sep 04, 2016   Attend: 151   Time: 1:23   
  Referees: Glenn Goudy, Morgan Shannon
 
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